The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
